Raccoon – Little Devil

Raccoon

Little Devil The cherries are ripening and we’re getting lots of help with the harvest. This “little devil” was well sated! ~ Anecdote and Raccoon capture, Little Devil © Jerry L. Ferrara

Pileated Woodpecker – Flamboyant

Pileated Woodpecker

Flamboyant From my backyard, a flamboyant male Pileated Woodpecker takes a quick peek at the camera. The roughly 19-inch-long avian wonder is a component of Canadian and U.S. deciduous-coniferous forests, especially where there are plenty of dead or dying trees … the plucky birds relish carpenter ants. ~ Anecdote and Pileated Woodpecker capture, Flamboyant © Jerry L. Ferrara

Bald Eagle – The Final Perspective

Bald Eagle

The Final Perspective The action was furious and moving like an out-of-control wildfire as the Bald Eagle bore down on the water’s surface. The thought of the final perspective [what this magnificent bird must have seen as it closed in on the salmon] flashed across my mind. After the catch, and when the intensity of the drama had passed, I grabbed a quick peek of the image in the camera monitor and mused at what seemed to me to be a double entendre, if not a bit of dark humor. Perhaps it was not so much what the Bald Eagle saw, but the final perspective certainly must reflect the last thing the fish saw! ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, The Final Perspective © Jerry L. Ferrara

Bald Eagle – Poised In Pursuit

Bald Eagle

Poised In Pursuit The eagle fishing activity had been very sporadic that morning. Plenty of fish were along the water’s edge….just few takers. Over the top of me, from behind, a rush of wind through feathers and wings repercussioned the air. Out of seemingly nowhere the eagle appeared, banked in my direction, and abruptly turned away. It was all I could do to get the fast fading bird framed. Its back and tail were all that could be seen….a remnant of what visually was. Suddenly the bird wheeled again into the lens, dropped its tail and legs, raised the leading edge of its wings and poised frozen in a beautiful stall. ~ Anecdote and Bald Eagle capture, Poised In Pursuit © Jerry L. Ferrara

Red-winged Blackbird – Icterid Voices

Red-winged Blackbird

Icterid Voices Spring quickens in the vernal marsh Guttural, gurgling Icterid voices broadcast far and wide Challengers tear at the tranquility Scarlet epaulettes flare like glowing embers Imperceptible boundaries are drawn Dominions declared The propertied are set to arouse the feminine gender … soon to arrive ~ Poem and Red-winged Blackbird capture, Icterid Voices © Jerry L. Ferrara

American Robin – American Robin

American Robin

American Robin The American Robins have returned and have been rummaging around the yard. No worms yet, though. This one suddenly appeared on the suet cake, took a bite and flew off. ~ Anecdote and American Robin capture, American Robin © Jerry L. Ferrara

Great Gray Owl – The Great Cinereous Waited

Great Gray Owl

The Great Cinereous Waited A baleful quiet seized the frigid morning All movement was stilled The sky remained faceless Death stood near The Great Cinereous waited ~ Poem and Great Gray Owl capture, The Great Cinereous Waited © Jerry L. Ferrara

Wilson’s Snipe – On A Snipe Hunt

Wilson's Snipe

On A Snipe Hunt The Wilson’s Snipe is a handsome native shorebird that belongs in the Sandpiper family. I caught this one resting on a fence post near a grassy field close by my home. I didn’t have to go on a “snipe hunt” to find the obliging creature, either. ~ Anecdote and Wilson’s Snipe capture, On A Snipe Hunt © Jerry L. Ferrara

Chestnut-backed Chickadee – The Energetic Bundle of Feathers

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

The Energetic Bundle of Feathers I caught this Chestnut-backed Chickadee during a gentle rainstorm in a brief moment while it was sitting still. The energetic bundle of feathers subsequently exploded away. ~ Anecdote and Chestnut-backed Chickadee capture, The Energetic Bundle of Feathers © Jerry L. Ferrara